Dundee City Council has denied claims that the new Harris Academy is already struggling to cope with pupil numbers.
It has been claimed that pupils are being instructed to go to the Perth Road shops for their lunch as the canteen is too small to accommodate them.
The new £31 million complex opened to fourth, fifth and sixth year pupils earlier this month, with S1 to S3 students due to join them after the summer, including those who previously attended the now closed Menzieshill High School.
A member of the Save Menzieshill High campaign posted on the group’s social media page: “The new Harris hasn’t even opened its doors properly and already pupils are being told to go to the Perth Road shops for lunch as the canteen is too small.”
Parents and others with connections to the school also voiced their concerns.
Elaine Clark wrote: “Not surprised, at the S1 induction last week there were still kids waiting to be served when the bell went.
“They didn’t get an afternoon break because of it. Dining hall is tiny.
Maureen Doyle added: “The dining hall holds only 50 people at a time, for a school with 1100 kids can you imagine being at the back of that dinner line.”
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson, who regularly attends Harris Academy parent council meetings, said he had not been made aware of the complaints.
Mr Macpherson explained: “The lunch facilities in the new school are significantly improved compared to what there was in the old Harris Academy building.
“Only around 10% of pupils are staying in the school for lunch, so I would find it difficult to believe that they can’t be accommodated.
“The Harris Academy project board have been assured that there would be adequate provision for both school lunches and eating packed lunches.
“However, I’m happy to look into any concerns.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman echoed these comments.
He said: “There is adequate space for pupils to have their lunch in the Perth Road building.”
The new Harris Academy is a merger of pupils from the old school of the same name, temporarily located on Lawton Road, and pupils who previously attended Menzieshill High School.
There was strong opposition to the closure of the latter, with a number of campaigners including the Save Menzieshill High group fighting to keep the campus.
No one from the group was available for comment at the time of publishing.
